Lincolnville seniors acquire place of their own
Friendship House
is available for rent
It's been a while in coming, but thanks to the generosity of several people, Lincolnville's senior citizens now have their own headquarters.
Evelyn Matz and Betty Frobenius recently purchased the Alice Schneider house at 216 Main from her son, Gary Schneider of Herington. They have named it Friendship House.
"Gary wanted the senior citizens to have it," Matz said. She is chairman of the local organization.
The house originally was the office of Dr. J.W. DeMand, who practiced in Lincolnville from 1914 to 1962.
Brightened with new paint and border trim, the interior provides a homey, inviting place for older adults to spend time together.
The first event to be held at Friendship House was an afternoon tea on March 3.
The following Wednesday, the group held their first monthly meeting in their new home. A covered-dish dinner followed by a business meeting was attended by about 20 people.
According to Matz, the building will not be an official senior center until it is made handicapped-accessible. She expects the necessary changes to be made soon.
An exterior door will be created on the east side of the building and a culvert will be installed at the street to provide an approach.
Matz said the group recently became incorporated as a tax-free entity, so monetary donations now are tax-deductible. Bylaws written when the organization was begun in 1977 have been re-written.
Several people already have come forward to provide assistance.
Sharon Matz of rural Lincolnville painted a large mural on the living room wall and is making a sign to be placed above the exterior door.
Puryear Mortuary of Herington donated 30 chairs and the Alan Abbotts provided several card tables and chairs.
The seniors are holding a pancake feed Saturday at the community building to raise money to replace the sidewalk in front of the building.
They plan to install a kitchen in a back room to provide more space for dining in the present kitchen.
In addition to monthly meetings and luncheons, Friendship House will be open two afternoons a month for various activities.
The city council has received permission to use the building for its monthly meetings after the community building is razed.
"It's supposed to be a gathering place," Matz said. "It is available for rent to the public for small group activities and will hold 30 people comfortably."
Matz may be contacted at 620-924-5439.
